Briar Woods Ends Broad Run Streak

In front of a raucous crowd of orange and blue clad supporters, Briar Woods dominated Broad Run statistically and in time of possession en route to handing the Spartans their first loss in more than two seasons and claiming a share of the Dulles District lead. 

The Spartans entered the game sporting the area's most prolific offense, and were averaging more than twice as many points per game as the Falcons.  But on this night, it was the Falcons offense that continually kept the Spartans off-balance and off the field.

The Falcons running game was sparked by the return of junior Ryan Bumbray, who saw his first extensive action since suffering an injury in the first game of the season.  Bumbray carried the ball three straight times on the Falcons first possession, and then broke loose on a weaving, 27 yard touchdown run down the right sideline for the game's first score.  Bumbray finished the night with 19 carries for 92 yards and one touchdown.

After the Falcons forced the Spartans into their second consecutive three-and-out to start the game, freshmen quarterback Trace McSorley began his dissection of the Spartans defense.  McSorley implemented the Falcons quick passing gameplan to perfection, as he connected on his first three throws, including a crucial 14 yard completion on third down to tight end DeVontae O'Bannion.  The play negated an earlier Spartan sack and kept the drive alive.  McSorley later connected with wide receiver Scott Rolin in the left flat, and Rolin did the rest, eluding several would be tacklers and sprinting for a 35 yard score. 

"We had a couple new formations we used because of their pressure [on defense]," said Briar Woods Coach Charlie Pierce.  "We talked all week about getting the ball in and getting the ball out quickly, and we did that." 

Facing their largest deficit of the season, the Spartans responded.  With their vaunted running game effectively shut down by the Falcons defense, Spartan quarterback Micahel Stratton hit a wide-open Michael Price down the middle of the field for a 50 yard gain.  The play almost ended in disaster for the Spartans though, as Price was stripped of the ball while being tackled from behind.  Somehow Price was able to recover his own fumble at the Falcons four yard line.  The Falcons defense stood strong, and forced the Spartans into a fourth and goal attempt from the one yard line.  The Spartans went for it, and scored on Derril Thomas's one yard touchdown plunge, cutting the Falcons lead to 14-7.

The rest of the half was dominated by the defenses, as both teams struggled to move the ball.  But the Falcons got the ball in good field position with 1:43 left in the half after the Spartans were forced to punt and called for a personal foul.  McSorley took over from there, completing a pass and scrambling to get the Falcons into scoring position.   Junior kicker David Clements took advantage, hitting a 40 yard field goal that glanced off the left upright and gave the Falcons a 17-7 halftime lead.

The Falcons opened the second half with the kind of mistakes that typically spur teams riding 33 game winning streaks to comeback victories.  After a holding penalty pinned the Falcons deep in their own terrotory, McSorley hit wide receiver Alex Carter in the left flat.  Carter fumbled while being tackled, and Broad Run recovered on the Falcons nine yard line.  The Falcons defense once again forced the Spartans into a fourth and goal situation, and once again Derril Thomas scored, this time sweeping left from two yards out.  The Spartans failed on their extra point attempt, leaving the score at 17-13.

The touchdown energized the Spartans fans and team, and quieted the sea of orange and blue faithful.  Momentum had clearly shifted in favor of the Spartans, and the Falcons were facing the possibility of letting a 14 point lead evaporate at home against the two time defending AA state champion Spartans. 

On their next series, it momemtarily appeared as if the Falcons would succumb to the pressure.  The Falcons offense was called for holding and gave up a sack on its first two plays. but another costly penalty by the Spartans, this time a late hit on the sack, gave the Falcons a chance, and their freshmen quarterback took advantage.  McSorley, who finished the game 19 of 26 for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception, displayed the savvy of a seasoned veteran, as he completed four passes to three different receivers, and led a clock eating drive deep into Spartans terrirtory.  The drive took more than six minutes off the play clock, and resulted in another Clements field goal and the final points of the game, as the Falcons defense held the Spartans offense in check for the remainder of the game.

"He's a stud," said Broad Run Coach Matt Griffis about McSorley.  "They're a very well coached team, their kids fight hard and they did a good job against us.  I take total ownership of the loss, I feel like I let [the players] down."  

On the game, the Falcons gained 290 yards of total offense, while holding the Spartans to 143 total yards, and only 63 yards rushing.

Before the game it was announced that Briar Woods was celebrating "Future Falcon Night," as the school had invited a host of younger students from its feeder schools to the game.  The title may have proven prophetic, as the current Spartans erased the memories of past losses to the Spartans, and possibly signaled a changing of the guard at the top of the Dulles District.

"We gotta keep pushing," said McSorley after the game.  "Every week we have a short term and a long term goal.  Every week our longterm goal is to win the Dulles District championship, so we're still working for that goal."